2024-07-30 15:30:39
Until Monday evening, there was hardly a person, not that you can always find one in Bulgaria, who did not enjoy the successes of Alexander Vezenkov and liked the basketball player.
Then it practically became clear that the number 1 athlete in our country in the last 2 years is leaving after only one season in the strongest championship in the world – NBA, and will return to where he is king – in Greece. To record a second period in the grand “Olympiakos”.
It certainly raised the question of why the ajeba heavy winger didn’t try to get a foothold in the extremely difficult US-Canada Championship. In it, Vezenkov played for the Sacramento Kings, and this summer he became a trade coin, moving to the Toronto Raptors.
Insinuations like “Well, we saw how much it cost him to come home so quickly” are common in recent days.
On Thursday, Vezenkov was officially presented by Olympiakos. At the entrance for the press conference, fans with torches created a great atmosphere, illustrating the status of the Bulgarian national team in their favorite team.
A strong impression was made by Vezenkov’s words, which added one more to his other qualities as a person outside of sports – frankness. The basketball player, who will turn 29 on August 6, candidly admitted that he made the following judgment – the NBA is not for him. Throughout his career, Vezenkov is used to fighting for titles, cups and playing at the highest level in the Euroleague.
The prospects of something like this happening overseas were definitely lacking due to a series of injuries.
“I thought about it until the end – if I want a second chance in the NBA and if I can do it in the best way. The most important thing is to be happy and fight for titles. I want to show what I can do and this is the best decision in my opinion. My motto is that not everything is for everyone. We don’t always fit everywhere. It’s better for me here at Olympiakos”, shared Vezenkov.
To be happy, he certainly has the nudge of close contact with his girlfriend – the water polo player Nicole Eleftheriadou, who stayed in Greece when he left for the States.
In order to fight for titles and be okay off the court, the son of the legend Sasho Vezenkov gave up $6.6 million, which was guaranteed to him by contract, regardless of which club he plays for in the NBA.
This is quite solidly compensated by one of the most profitable in European basketball. Vezenkov signed for 5 seasons. In this period, he will collect 18.5 million euros, and another 2 million may come as bonuses.
“Thanks to the club bosses, without whom my return would not have been possible. I also thank the people who were here in the heat to welcome me. Olympiakos is my family. I’m happy to be here again. Our goal is always the top. We will fight to win the Euroleague.
I am aware of the pressure that follows, but I like to take responsibility. I will continue to work hard and give 100 percent of myself. I know that I can be criticized, but that’s part of the game,” Vezenkov said.
He was the second Bulgarian in the NBA after Georgi Glushkov. It will be a long wait for the third.